WINDHOEK, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Electricity Control Board (ECB) released a statement on Thursday saying Namibia is gearing up for a renewable energy revolution and plans to continue deploying modern renewable energy systems onto their national grid.
"The Namibian government has approved the National Energy Policy, Renewable Energy Policy and the Independent Power Producer (IPP) Policy which outlines specific goals to steer the electricity sector and to promote grid-connected and off-grid renewable energy development," ECB said, adding that "These policies recognise energy storage as part of the solution towards energy security. The intermittent nature of renewable energy (wind and solar PV) has for a long time prevented a larger uptake of renewables in Namibia and the region."
ECB also said, "The ability to store energy at times when the supply exceeds demand, will be key to the effective utilisation of renewable energy. Energy storage solutions (such as batteries, pumped hydroelectric storage, compressed air energy storage, etc.) present a great opportunity for power to be captured when it is available and released on demand."
The Namibian electricity regulator added that Energy storage costs are expected to decline rapidly over the coming years, thereby becoming increasingly relevant and economically viable.